White House “Champion of Change” Alum James Bailey of Operation HOPE Meets with President Obama

WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Thursday, April 26th, James Bailey will be one of twelve White House Champions of Change Alumni who will meet with President Obama in celebration of the program’s one year anniversary. The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector has been highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, have been recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

Since the program began, the White House has hosted over forty Champions of Change events honoring over 500 individuals from all 50 states for their work in their community. This event highlights the great accomplishments the alumni have achieved since initially being honored as White House Champions of Change.

“We created the Champions of Change program to honor ordinary Americans who are doing extraordinary things,” said President Obama. “By making their communities better places to live, our Champions are helping to ensure that our country’s best days lie ahead.”

James, a MLK Legacy Champion, serves as Market Vice President for the Southeast Region of Operation HOPE, a global non-profit, public benefit organization; America’s leading provider of economic tools, services, and financial dignity for the underserved. This fall in Atlanta, HOPE will open its flagship Financial Dignity Center at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, offering free programs for the community to include Home Ownership workshops, Small Business and Entrepreneurship training, Mortgage Crisis Assistance, Credit and Money Management Counseling, and many other services designed to empower and uplift. Since 2005 under James’ leadership in Atlanta, HOPE has helped over 40,000 children, individuals, and families, learn the language of money, start businesses, save their homes, and increase their financial dignity. A native of Atlanta, graduate of the University of Georgia and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, James has committed his life to serving others. Firmly believing to whom much is given, much is required, James devotes the majority of his time outside the office mentoring and volunteering with several organizations; most notably serving as Scoutmaster of the Mighty Troop 100, the largest inner city Boy Scout troop in the United States, sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.